The FBI Director Just Live Fact-Checked Trump’s Russia Tweet During Congressional Hearing

Earlier today, President Trump tweeted out a video from his official @POTUS account which grossly misrepresented what FBI Director James Comey and NSA Director Michael Rogers had been saying about the effects of the Russian cyberwarfare campaign that was waged during the 2016 election.

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), fishing for some useful sound bytes, asked the NSA if they were able to determine whether or not Russian hackers had interfered with the change of vote tallies in Michigan and other battleground states where the vote was very close.

Director Rogers’ response was taken and presented by Trump as proof that this was the end of the issue and that the Russians hadn’t influenced the electoral process – but that was obviously not the question that was asked.

“We’ve offered no opinion, have no view, have no information on potential impact because it’s never something that we looked at. It certainly wasn’t our intention to say that today.”

While Russia may have not actually succeeded in literally manipulating the vote counts in Trump’s favor – though not for a lack of trying – there is no doubt that the strategic release of emails from the Democratic National Committee and Hilary Clinton campaign chair John Podesta – and the accompanying conspiracy firestorm that right-wing media was able to spin up about the relatively pedestrian email contents – certainly played a part in swaying public opinion against Clinton.

Whether or not the Russian hacks did or didn’t succeed in swaying public opinion is ultimately beside the point. The important question that we are now asking is whether Donald Trump and his camp were aware of the efforts on his behalf and whether or not they were actively involved in a quid-pro-quo with a hostile foreign power – and we must not rest until we have the answers to those critical questions.

Colin Taylor is the managing editor of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America.

Don’t let Trump fire Special Prosecutor Mueller

Special Prosecutor Mueller has found enough evidence to bring charge in his investigation of the Trump campaign’s alleged collusion with Russia, but President Trump has openly talked of firing Mueller before he can bring justice. Don’t let him! Demand Congress pass a law preventing Trump from firing Mueller before it’s too late.

Thank you for making your voice heard!

OD Action will be in touch with periodic updates. You may opt out at any time.